Friday, July 19, 2013

The Queen Mother-Judgment (Daniel 5:10-12)



SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7/19/2013 8:44 AM
My Worship Time                                                                 Focus:  The Queen Mother-Judgment
Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Daniel 5:10-12
            Message of the verses:  We now begin to look at the third person from the fifth chapter of Daniel and that is probably one of the wives of Nebuchadnezzar who is described as the queen mother.
            “10 ¶ The queen entered the banquet hall because of the words of the king and his nobles; the queen spoke and said, "O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts alarm you or your face be pale.  11  "There is a man in your kingdom in whom is a spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, illumination, insight and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. And King Nebuchadnezzar, your father, your father the king, appointed him chief of the magicians, conjurers, Chaldeans and diviners.  12  "This was because an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, interpretation of dreams, explanation of enigmas and solving of difficult problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Let Daniel now be summoned and he will declare the interpretation.’”
            Daniel was probably in his eighties at this point in his life, and yet he still did not associate himself with the other magicians, conjurers, and the Chaldeans or diviners, but pretty much must have kept to himself.  The queen mother knew of him for she repeats the very words that Nebuchadnezzar had spoken about Daniel, that is he has a spirit of the holy gods.  She tells Belshazzar not to look so pale, for she knew who to call so he would get an answer to the writing on the wall. 
            Dr. Wiersbe writes “Her attitude didn’t match the gravity of the situation, but her suggestion was a good one:  summon Daniel, the king’s greatest adviser.  Her words reveal another characteristic of King Belshazzar—ignorance.  It seems incredible that he didn’t know Daniel, one of the highest officers in Babylon, and certainly the wisest counselor in the empire.  Belshazzar had been told about his grandfather’s dreams and Daniel’s interpretations (v. 22), but too often younger leaders are so concerned about themselves and the present that they forget to catch up on the past.  Had young King Rehoboam listened to the counsel of the elders of Israel, he would have avoided a great deal of trouble (1 Kings 12).”
            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I am no Daniel, but I can claim the following verses when in need of wisdom from the Lord:  “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)  “5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6)
My Steps of Faith for Today:  Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Memory verses for the week:  Psalm 46:1-6
            1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  2 Therefore we will not fear thought the earth should change and the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though the waters roar and foam, and though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.  Selah.  4 There is a river whose streams make glade the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the most high.  5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved, God will help her when morning dawns.
            6 The nations make an uproar, the kingdoms tottered, He raised His voice, the earth melted.
Answer to yesterday’s Bible Question:  “He was a leper” (2 Kings 5:1).
Today’s Bible question:  “When shall every man have praise of God?”
Answer in tomorrow’s SD.
7/19/2013 9:06 AM

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